K3C542 – Attention deficits or communication difficulties can have a number of effects on a child’s behaviour. Children with the aforementioned problems may find it harder to manage their behaviour which may results in behaviour linked to frustration such as temper tantrums and aggressive acts. You should try and predict a child’s needs or consider using a picture or sign system such as makaton to help communicate better if the child has such difficulties or speak to a professional.
Specifically a child with an attention deficit will have difficulty concentrating due to low arousal levels and may show restless or erratic behaviour. Although this behaviour can be seen to be disruptive, especially during activities that involve prolonged sitting, you should try and keep that child’s interest. Keeping to strong routines and providing plenty of sensory activities as well as giving frequent feedback to the child (stickers etc) can help overcome these problems. Open ended activities and using visual cues during activities can also help the child maintain concentration. An attention disorder can affect a child’s learning and this should help overcome this problem as far as possible. In my setting we have a child with an attention disorder and he often benefits from one on one attention although this can’t always be done.
K3D691 – Today a child centred approach to managing behaviour and encouraging positive behaviour should be used. Old and dated approaches often seen a child’s behaviour as a problem and not consider why the child is exhibiting this type of behaviour. A child centred approach concentrates on the needs of a child and reasons for their behaviour. A child centred approach means focussing on the underlying issues contributing towards a child’s behaviour. For example a child who is spoiling an activity for others may be doing it because he/ she does not feel accepted by others. A firm but respectful approach should be used in order to...